School Counselor - Russell Middle School (2026-2027)

POSITION TITLE:  School Counselor (2026-2027) 

CONTRACT YEAR:  12 Month Contract 

SALARY:                 SCALE COMMENSURATE WITH EXPERIENCE (Based on anticipated FY 27 Salary Scale)

DEPARTMENT:       J.S. Russell Middle School

START DATE:         July 1

Job Description:  The candidate for this position will provide a comprehensive guidance and counseling program designed to address the social, emotional, educational, and occupational needs of all students. This candidate will guide and counsel individuals and groups of students through the development of educational and career plans for students in 7-8. This candidate will work collaboratively with administration, teachers, parents, community stakeholders, and business professionals to build a resource base that will provide students exposure and access to career exploration, organization skills, learning strategies, self-management, social skills, and study skills.

Direct Accountability and Report:  Works under the supervision of the middle school principal, who is responsible for carrying out the guidance and direction at the middle school. An annual evaluation will be based upon the job description, district and personal goals and objectives specific to the school or the position, student achievement data, and the performance of the counselor. 

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Guidance & Counseling from an accredited institution.  
• Holds a Virginia Provisional, Collegiate, or Postgraduate Professional License in a specific content area applied with an endorsement in Guidance & Counseling, PreK-12

Experience:

• Minimum of three (3) years of successful, full-time teaching experience preferred.

Essential Performance Duties:

Duties of the school counselor include, but are not limited to, the following:

PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE:  The counselor demonstrates an understanding of the guidance and counseling curriculum, and the developmental needs of students by providing relevant support services and experiences.

• Effectively addresses appropriate guidance and curriculum standards.
• Demonstrates an accurate knowledge of guidance and counseling services.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development of the age group.
• Communicates clearly and checks for understanding.

PROGRAM PLANNING:  The counselor plans using the adopted guidance and counseling curriculum, effective strategies, resources, and data to meet the needs of all students. 

• Hold regular meetings with students during and after the end of grading periods to review their progress, if appropriate, formulate a plan of action for success involving the student and the parent.
• Develop appropriate long- and short-range academic plans and adapt academic plans when needed, which involve setting achievement goals and monitoring their progress. 
• Work with students who have discipline, attendance, and academic problems and are referred by teachers, parents or administrators.
• Assure that appropriate and accurate information is maintained in each student’s permanent and cumulative record. 
• Make the necessary schedule changes for individual students that are both appropriate for their abilities and aligned with their social and educational goals.
• Plan and/or promote programs that enhance the academic, social, or emotional growth of students and their awareness, e.g., Guest speakers, motivational activities, curriculum fair, career fair, high school mentors, honors programs and assemblies, graduation, opportunities for student enrichment and/or remediation, scholarship opportunities and parent informational programs.
• Guide each student to choose courses consistent with his/her interests, abilities, and career plans.
• Help students develop goals in accordance with their interests, abilities and self-improvement, and future career plans.

DELIVERY OF SERVICES: The counselor effectively engages students with a variety of services to meet individual student needs. 

• Differentiate guidance and counseling services to meet the students’ needs.
• Reinforce goal setting for academic performance, and personal goal setting consistently throughout the year. 
• Provide student and parent resources and support for students and parents on study skills and self-management plans.
• Organize and promote standardized assessment opportunities and interpret test results for students and/or parents on request.
• Facilitate small groups for individual students with identified, common needs.
• Consult with and serve as a resource for students, staff and parents regarding developmental needs of students, which may include: identification and referral of students for Child Study Meetings; the creation and oversight of Section 504 plans; the active participation in Special Education meetings; conferencing with individual students who have experienced a death in the family or serious illness and notification to their teachers; and Work with teachers to better help them understand students with physical or emotional challenges.
• Refer students and parents/guardians to appropriate school and community resources.
• Communicates clearly and checks for understanding. 

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT: The counselor uses resources, routines, and procedures to provide a respectful, positive, safe, student-centered environment that is conducive to students’  intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development.

• Arranges the guidance and counseling office to maximize learning while providing a safe environment. 
• Establish a climate of trust and teamwork by being fair, caring, respectful, and enthusiastic.
• Promote cultural sensitivity. 
• Respect students’ diversity, including language, culture, race, gender, and special needs. Actively listen and pay attention to students’ needs and responses. 

PROFESSIONALISM: The counselor maintains a commitment to professional ethics, communicates effectively, and takes responsibility for and participates in professional growth that results in enhanced student development.

• Collaborate and communicate effectively within the school community to promote students’ well-being and success.
• Adhere to federal and state laws, school and division policies, and ethical guidelines. Incorporate learning from professional growth opportunities into guidance and counseling practice.
• Set goals for improvement of knowledge and skills.
• Engage in activities outside of the district and region intended for school and student enhancement.
• Work in a collegial and collaborative manner with administrators, other school personnel, and the community.
• Build positive and professional relationships with parents/guardians through frequent and effective communication concerning students’ progress.
• Serve as a contributing member of the school’s professional learning community through collaboration with teaching colleagues.
• Demonstrate consistent mastery of standard oral and written English in all communication

General Definition and Conditions of Work: Duties performed typically in a school setting. Performs professional work providing teaching and/or training services to students in a specialized subject. Work requires frequent standing, sitting, light lifting up to 10 pounds, walking, vocal communication for expressing or exchanging ideas, hearing to perceive information at a normal spoken word level, and visual acuity for preparing and analyzing written or computer data.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Brunswick County Public Schools is committed to a policy of non-discrimination based upon race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and age in the administration of any of its educational programs, activities, or with respect to employment.